Simple Sugars
Approx. 11 million people in Canada exhibit diabetic symptoms including high blood glucose levels, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides, so blood sugar imbalance is a serious threat to health.
This is due to the ingestion of too many “simple sugars” found in pop, candy & sweets. The extra sugar our bodies don’t need is stored and becomes fat. To counter this, the pancreas secretes insulin to bring down the blood glucose levels, which can then drop too low a few hours later.
- Insulin is a hormone that enables your body to get energy from food
Complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly so glucose enters the bloodstream at a much slower rate while soluble fiber slows digestion even more, which helps blood sugar management. Here is a list of the different types of diabetes and recommendations for prevention:
PREDIABETES:
This starts 5 to 10 years before symptoms show and can be reversed through diet. Blood glucose levels are higher than normal and can lead to type 2.
- Reduce your sugar intake by eliminating your consumption of pop and pre-packaged sweets. You can change your eating habits with the help of a Diabetic cookbook to learn about proper nutrition.
GESTATIONAL:
This is a disorder that some women experience during pregnancy (up to 4%) with the risk of mother and child developing Type 2.
- Consume flavone & anthoyanin-rich foods like tea, dark chocolate (70% cocoa), red wine, red or blue-coloured fruits or veggies, berries, red grapes, parsley, thyme and celery to regulate your blood sugar
TYPE 1:
This starts early in life when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, thus requiring insulin injections to keep blood sugar levels under control. Pancreas beta cells are mistakenly attacked and killed by the immune system; little or no insulin gets released in the body, causing a build-up of glucose in the blood. Having a family member with diabetes is a risk factor.
- Start babies on solid food between 4-5 months while still breastfeeding
TYPE 2:
This used to develop in adulthood but now is increasingly common in children due to poor diet: either the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body doesn’t respond properly to the insulin because cells have lost sensitivity to it. Type 2 is the most common and preventable form of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes is reversible through diet. Thousands of people have done so by adopting a plant-based, whole food diet. Here’s one person’s personal story of triumph over this condition.
There is a program available that helps people transition from bad eating habits to adapting a whole new lifestyle that changes their lives and improves their health.
- Quitting smoking, exercise and proper diet will prevent and can reverse diabetes
- eat quality proteins, healthy fats & low glycemic plant foods
- Supplements should include Chromium, Magnesium & Alpha-lipoic Acid